RealClearPolitics Politics Nation Blog

AL: Rogers +21, Griffith +5

The Republican brand may be in tatters nationwide, but two public polls out of Alabama show GOP Congressional candidates running well against good Democratic opponents.

The polls, conducted by Capital Survey Research Center, tested both the Third and Fifth Districts. In the Third, 468 likely voters were polled for a margin of error of +/- 4.5%. Rep. Mike Rogers, a Republican, and Democratic attorney Joshua Segall were tested. In the Fifth, 502 likely voters were surveyed between 8/19-21 for a margin of error of +/- 4.4%, testing State Senator Parker Griffith, the Democratic candidate, and two-time Republican nominee and advertising executive Wayne Parker.

General Election Matchups
Rogers..........54
Segall..........33

Griffith........45
Parker..........40

Griffith, running to replace fellow Democrat Bud Cramer, was leading an early April poll by the same firm by a huge 48%-32% margin. Parker needed a runoff to secure the Republican nomination, while Griffith was virtually uncontested on the Democratic side. Still, after that runoff, Parker has closed the gap significantly.

Segall is rapidly becoming a favorite of Netroots denizens who pay attention to House contests, and he's raised a good amount of money. But in this heavily Republican district, Rogers looks like he doesn't have much of a challenge to worry about.

If Republicans brag about Rogers' lead and Parker's closing the gap, keep it in mind that next time Capital Survey Research Center polls anywhere in Alabama. With close ties to the Alabama Education Association, the polling firm is a lightening rod for GOP criticism any time they release a poll showing Democrats in good position.